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Olympics 2024: Team GB rugby player out amid racism row

PARIS -- The British Olympic Association (BOA) has said it has launched an investigation following an allegedly racist message sent from a Team GB rugby sevens player.

A screenshot of a WhatsApp message from sevens player Amy Wilson Hardy appeared on Instagram showing her wearing a dark colour facemask, with the user alleging racism.

A BOA spokesperson said: "The British Olympic Association has been made aware of an image published on a social media platform and is investigating the matter."

A later statement added that "Amy Wilson Hardy has been withdrawn on medical grounds from the Paris 2024 rugby sevens placement matches and will be replaced by Tokyo 2020 Olympian Abi Burton." The BOA also said their investigation is ongoing.

Wilson Hardy was competing at her second Olympic Games after previously appearing at Rio 2016. She played in the quarterfinal defeat to the United States on Monday that saw Team GB's medal hopes end.

Their next match is against China on Tuesday in a game that will help decide the standing from fifth to eighth place.